NJ man stabbed one person to death, kidnapped woman nearby, cops say

Police have charged a 23-year-old Elizabeth man with murder and kidnapping in connection with a fatal stabbing that took place Saturday, according to the Union County Prosecutor's Office.

Saloman Rosendo Gomez-Serpas is facing first-degree murder and kidnapping charges as well as a second-degree weapons offense following an incident that took place early Saturday morning, resulting in the death of 30-year-old Mario Ortiz of Elizabeth, acting Union County Prosecutor Grace H. Park said in a statement Sunday.

Park say the incident began with an argument between Gomez-Serpas and Ortiz in the parking lot of the Imperial Latino Lounge on New Point Road at about 4 a.m. She said during the altercation, Gomez-Serpas stabbed Ortiz in the chest.

Gomez-Serpas then told a woman standing nearby to get into a vehicle, Park said. He then drove off with the woman inside, she said.

Several hours later, at about 2 p.m. Saturday, authorities tracked down Gomez-Serpas in an apartment on Marshall Street in Elizabeth, Park said. The prosecutor said the woman was also in the apartment and was unharmed.

Gomez-Serpas was arrested and is being held at Union County Jail in Elizabeth on $1 million bail, the prosecutor said in a statement.

Police are continuing to investigate the incident and are asking anyone with information to contact Homicide Task Force Sgt. Michael Manochio at 908-966-2287, Detective Brendan Sullivan at 908-966-0999, or Detective Danika Ramos at 908-965-3807.

Toniann Antonelli is a social content producer for NJ 101.5. She can be reached at toniann.antonelli@townsquaremedia.com, or on Twitter @ToniRadio1015.